TANF, Child Welfare Partnerships Help Strengthen Families

In this article, ICF experts examine the benefits of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and child welfare partnerships to help children and families be safer, stronger, and more financially independent. Key topics include:

Why TANF and child welfare collaborations are important

What happens when these organizations work together

Tips on how similar organizations can collaborate more effectively

Despite overlaps and emerging research, TANF and child welfare systems have different foci, performance metrics, funding streams, support services, and data collection and tracking systems. While the TANF system focuses primarily on work and employment support for needy families, the child welfare system focuses on child safety, well-being, permanency, and intensive case management supports for children, youth, and their caregivers.